iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Maintain mmWave 5G Exclusivity in the U.S.; Global Models Feature Sub-6GHz

Apple has officially unveiled its latest iPhone 17 lineup, presenting a range of significant enhancements designed to appeal to a broad audience of users. Among these devices are the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models, both of which continue to include support for mmWave 5G connectivity in the United States. However, users outside the U. S.remain restricted to the slower sub-6GHz 5G networks.

Limited Global Access to mmWave 5G in iPhone 17 Series

Since the debut of 5G technology with the iPhone 12, mmWave support has been exclusive to U. S.customers. Despite the growing global adoption of mmWave technology in regions such as Australia, China, South Korea, Japan, and various parts of Europe, Apple has yet to expand this capability to its iPhone 17 devices sold internationally.

Apple cites high costs associated with mmWave hardware integration and the expenses involved in establishing mmWave infrastructure as barriers to expanding its use in areas where adoption rates are low. Nevertheless, mmWave technology excels in densely populated environments like stadiums, airports, and concert venues. In contrast, its limited range and poor performance in penetrating obstacles can reduce its practicality in suburban and rural settings, which may explain Apple’s cautious approach to broadening access to this feature.

Apple’s strategy appears well-defined, as it has chosen to withdraw mmWave support from the iPad Pro line. For instance, the new M4 iPad Pro model is equipped only with sub-6GHz 5G modems, effectively sidelining mmWave capabilities. Additionally, the recently launched iPhone 17 Air comes with Apple’s custom-designed C1X modem, which similarly does not support mmWave.

Unless there is a substantial change in 5G infrastructure or carrier deployments globally, it seems mmWave technology will remain a U. S.-exclusive feature, providing American users with a distinct advantage in connectivity. As a result, users in the United States can look forward to incredibly high-speed 5G experiences with the iPhone 17. Stay tuned for more updates as further details emerge.

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